Who among the gangsters wants to fall in love?

Chapter 446 Hibiscus tent warmer
Happy days are like a break; even the longest holiday feels like time flies by in the blink of an eye.

As a light drizzle enveloped the capital, a thin mist rose from the streets and alleys, the snow melted, and the branches turned green, thus officially announcing the end of winter and the arrival of spring.

In early February, a misty fog shrouds the ancient banyan lake, and towering pavilions that reach into the clouds are faintly visible in the mist, resembling a fairyland on earth.

In a spacious room on the top floor, looking out the window, one can overlook the entire capital. Xiao Yuanmu, wearing a thin gauze robe, sat by the window, opened the window a crack, and looked at the red lanterns and colorful scarves on the streets and alleys of the capital.

Her pretty face still had a blush that hadn't faded. Her gauze dress wasn't tightly fastened, and her snow-white skin ran down her slender neck, revealing the curves between her breasts, her flat stomach without any excess fat, two alluring V-lines, and a pair of plump and slender legs.

She broke out in a light sweat, and her gauze dress clung to her skin, further accentuating her alluring charm, making her worthy of being recognized as the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world.

Looking at the festive atmosphere in the capital, Xiao Yuanmu's eyes flickered. He closed the window, looked back, and his eyes showed a hint of resentment, with a rare touch of girlish reproach.

Inside the room, Zhao Wumian sat cross-legged on the couch, dressed in only a single garment, clutching the Naraku Red Silk in his hand, while several oddly shaped objects floated beside him.

The reliquary banner, the magnificent jade burial suit, the black sword with a red sheath, the gilded Boshan censer, and the half-bronze bell shaped like a pot lid.

At this moment, these nine strange bells floated around Zhao Wumian, exuding a mysterious aura. There seemed to be a circle of indistinct mist in the air, making Zhao Wumian's figure appear blurry.

The scene at this moment was quite mysterious; at first glance, one might think that Zhao Wumian had truly become some kind of immortal about to ascend to heaven.

Of the nine sets of nine bells in the world, six and a half are in Zhao Wumian's hands. During this period, Zhao Wumian has not been idle. He has spent his spare time comprehending the Dao principles and cultivating in seclusion.

The Pearl Relic Pagoda was sent by Guan Yunshu through Xiaoxitian... Since she asked, Dongxuan naturally couldn't refuse, which benefited Zhao Wumian.

This is one of the advantages of having many wives.

Xiao Yuanmu and Zhao Wumian are both top figures in the martial arts world. Although there is a gap in their strength now, it is not that big. These nine bells are naturally useful to her... but she is too lazy to comprehend them. She simply rests her forearm on her cheek and lazily watches him.

Firstly, she's a protector of the Dharma; secondly, she enjoys looking at her man.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Wumian slowly opened his eyes, let out a long breath, and then heard Xiao Yuanmu ask a question in a barely audible voice, his voice tinged with nervousness.

“The Nine Bells are not man-made, but a product of heaven and earth. Enlightenment is often accompanied by risks… Have you been affected by anything negative?” Xiao Yuanmu would ask every time.

"It's just a feeling, not something to rely on to connect the bridge between heaven and earth, so it's fine." Zhao Wumian smiled slightly, then pondered for a moment, looked at the pot lid-like half of the bronze bell, and sighed softly.

"It's a pity we didn't find any more fragments of the Eastern Emperor last time we went to Ming... Such a treasure must have always been carried by Udamu, since there is no safer place in the world than by his side."

"Although we don't know where Uudam is now, a man like him can't stay silent forever, and we'll hear from him sooner or later."

Xiao Yuanmu stood up, his bare feet stepping on the carpet, and walked in gracefully. The thin gauze swayed gently, like a thin mist under the moon, with the moon's reflection faintly visible.

She sat down closer, still feeling uneasy, and took Zhao Wumian's pulse, asking, "After a month of practice, have you made any progress?"

"Yes, there are rewards for diligent practice..."

Zhao Wumian flipped his palm upwards, his dark inner energy dancing nimbly at his fingertips. At this moment, the ominous yin energy of the past had long since faded, and instead carried a touch of ethereal immortality.

He raised his hand and made a grasping motion, dispersing his inner energy. "It's just that I always feel like I'm missing the final step. I can't find the way in, and I'm just relying on time to tough it out."

"The path to entry? You haven't even entered the path yet?" Xiao Yuanmu tilted his head to look at him, slightly speechless. Although Zhao Wumian's mastery of the Dao of Time and Space was not yet at its peak, it could still be used to kill enemies.

Throughout the world, there is probably only one martial artist who has mastered the Dao principles better than Zhao Wumian: Ji Yingshi, who is suspected of ascending to immortality.

After all, even Uudam wasn't as wealthy as Zhao Wumian, who could casually comprehend six pieces of the Nine Bells.

Zhao Wumian nodded slightly and explained:
"I am merely feeling my way across the river. To peek into the path of immortality at this moment is no different from an old farmer fantasizing about an emperor tilling the land with a golden hoe... Only if I can experience firsthand what the signs of immortality are, can I have a general impression of these so-called immortals. This will make it easier to advance further, rather than blindly searching upwards and downwards."

Xiao Yuanmu understood, but he couldn't help but feel troubled... If there were really so many signs of immortality in this world, then everyone would surely be cultivating immortality.

Not to mention her, even Xiao Lengyue, who had more experience, had never heard of any so-called miracles.

Zhao Wumian, however, was not particularly worried. He got up, went to the window, opened it to gaze at the capital, and said:

"The presence of divine signs only saves me time... Even if I can't comprehend the so-called immortals, I will eventually find the way, it's just a matter of sooner or later."

As they were talking, Zhao Wumian saw a magnificent ship slowly approaching on the misty lake, with brocade banners fluttering and bearing the imperial flag.

Zhongli, the female official, stood on the deck, sighing and looking at her reflection with self-pity.

The Empress Dowager's personal maid, Lian Xue, also stood to the side, her expression not much different from hers. She sighed with regret, thinking to herself that since she had followed the Empress Dowager, she would probably never have the chance to become the Marquis's bed warmer in this lifetime.

The ship quickly approached, and a bridal sedan chair slowly disembarked and landed in front of Zeng Lengyue.

Qingyan raised her hand to lift the carriage curtain, leaned out, her hair was tied up with gold and jade hairpins, she wore a red silk dress, and her small face was lightly made up, like a delicate flower. Her usually expressionless face now showed a hint of undisguised joy.

Xiao Yuanmu also came to the window, looked down, and said with a slightly surprised look in his eyes, "Your little maid is very pretty. When you wrote the 'Jianghu Peerless Beauty' book, why didn't you put it on her?"

“I didn’t treat her like a maid.”

"Hmph..." Xiao Yuanmu closed the window, picked up his round fan, and swayed back onto the soft couch, showing no intention of avoiding suspicion.

After a few casual words, Qingyan was escorted by Lianxue, Zhongli, and a group of palace maids into Zeng Lengyue's room. After they collected Qingyan's blood with a handkerchief, they were to deliver it to the Empress Dowager.

According to palace rules, it would naturally be the Empress Dowager, the mother of the Emperor, who would send a young lady to test whether Marquis Weiming was capable of sexual intercourse. After all, this was a matter that was not suitable for public discussion and was considered a family matter.

As for this kind of 'testing the stick', if the Empress Dowager hadn't already been married, she probably would have disguised herself as a concubine and come over to try it out herself...

Soon, Qingyan went up to the top floor, where Zhao Wumian, already dressed, was waiting at the door, looking at Qingyan.

He didn't like this custom. If the Empress Dowager sent Lian Xue or Lady Zhongli, he would definitely not want to, since he had no connection with them.

But now, looking at this young girl who had been with him for most of his life, if he repeatedly declined, he would appear hypocritical and unworthy of her kindness.

He simply asked in a soft voice, "Are you ready?"

Qingyan stared at Zhao Wumian expressionlessly, her almond-shaped eyes fixed on him, a stubborn look in her eyes, and whispered:
"Little Lord……"

The window was wide open, and the spring breeze blew in. Strands of her black hair brushed against her pretty face. She seemed to be recalling the days and nights she had spent with Zhao Wumian in her mind. Then, she lifted her skirt with both hands and hurriedly went upstairs, her footsteps making a thumping sound.

Zhao Wumian pushed open the door and walked into the rooftop pavilion with Qingyan. Lian Xue and her maids were waiting outside, their hands clasped over their lower abdomens, standing dignifiedly.

They often came to Zeng Lengyue, but official business was official business and personal matters were personal matters. At this moment, they acted with the proper manners and demeanor of palace people, and the girls around Zeng Lengyue did not want to join in the fun, so they quickly dispersed.

Almost as soon as the door closed, Qingyan rushed into Zhao Wumian's arms, hugging him tightly, her pretty face pressed against Zhao Wumian's chest, her soft little face curving into a smile.

She whispered the words "Young Master, Young Master".

Xiao Yuanmu had just gotten up, intending to have a proper talk with Qingyan as the Palace Master and First Wife, so that she would serve Zhao Wumian well in the future. However, as soon as she entered the room, Qingyan didn't even glance at her and went straight into her lover's arms, which made Xiao Yuanmu's eyebrows twitch slightly.

Zhao Wumian held his little maid in his arms, his nose filled with the captivating virgin fragrance emanating from Qingyan. Because Xiao Yuanmu was still there, he naturally couldn't be too proactive, suppressing his impulses and glancing sideways at Xiao Yuanmu.

Xiao Yuanmu covered the lower half of his face with a round fan, still showing no intention of avoiding suspicion. He simply got up from the couch and sat down at the small table, as if making room for Zhao Wumian and Qingyan.

Clearly, Xiao Yuanmu wasn't as magnanimous as she had imagined. Although he didn't care about having a bed warmer, he still had to be in front of her.

Zhao Wumian was about to speak up and ask Xiao Yuanmu to step aside, but Qingyan seemed completely unconcerned about the current Palace Master's presence...

She tiptoed, her crimson lips kissing Zhao Wumian's neck and cheeks, leaving red lip prints on them. Then, she wrapped her arms tightly around Zhao Wumian's neck, offering her pink lips to silence him.

Zhao Wumian's hand, through the red dress, embraced Qingyan's slender waist, which could be encircled by a single hand. With a beauty in his arms, his breathing became slightly rapid. Seeing that Xiao Yuanmu still wouldn't leave, he stopped thinking about such things...

It's not like we haven't stacked them high before...

Zhao Wumian's hand slid down Qingyan's waist, lifted the hem of her red skirt, and caressed her plump and fleshy white thighs. His palm touched a silky fabric with a slightly grainy texture.

He was slightly taken aback, and after peeking down a little, he realized that Qingyan was wearing white stockings. A sudden surge of heat rose in his heart, and he couldn't help but ask:
"Where...did you find this?"

Qingyan's eyes were glazed over, her pretty face slightly flushed, and her breathing short. Upon hearing this, she casually replied:

"The Emperor said that the young master likes this..."

As she spoke, Qingyan parted slightly, looked up at Zhao Wumian, her voice still calm, but her eyes were like spring water, her clear pupils fixed on Zhao Wumian.

She said softly, "Young Master... let me help you undress..."

Zhao Wumian did not refuse. She opened her arms, and Qingyan's small hands, like silk, lightly slid over Zhao Wumian's body, unbuttoning her outer robe.

A soft rustling sound —

The outer robe and Qingyan's red skirt both slipped to the ground.

Qingyan kicked off her embroidered shoes, and her feet, encased in white silk pantyhose, appeared even more delicate and jade-like. Under the slightly transparent fabric, the skin between her feet appeared even whiter, milky white and warm.

She wore only a red bodice and white stockings, her shoulders were delicate and her figure was curvaceous, her skin smooth and beautiful, no less than any girl Zhao Wumian knew.

After removing their clothes, Qingyan hugged Zhao Wumian tightly again, their burning body heat passing between them through their thin clothing.

She kept calling out the name of the man she had loved for ten years, "Young Master, Young Master..."

Xiao Yuanmu, dressed in a thin veil, propped her cheek on her hand and watched them with great interest. Suddenly, she saw Zhao Wumian pick up Qingyan and, instead of heading towards the soft couch, walk towards her.

Xiao Yuanmu's expression changed slightly, and he sat up a little straighter, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of panic. "You, what do you want to do?"

"Shouldn't the Palace Master of Tai Xuan Palace set an example for his disciples and demonstrate a thing or two?"

"Don't even think about it!"

"Since you're already here, why did you refuse to leave earlier..."

A few gasps came from inside the house, then quickly fell silent.

The top floor was well soundproofed, so the maids outside couldn't hear anything. They didn't know when the Marquis would finish, so they could only maintain their composure and wait outside. Since the Marquis didn't come out, they didn't dare to urge him.

Xiao Lengyue, holding onto the railing, gracefully stepped onto the stairs, accompanied by a young palace maid dressed in palace attire, standing with her head bowed. However, this palace maid's figure was somewhat exaggeratedly good.

Lian Xue and the others looked over in confusion, feeling that the girl looked somewhat familiar. Before they could speak, Xiao Lengyue raised her hand and pushed open the door, leading the little palace maid into the room, and then quickly closed the door.

Faced with the Marquis's concubine, they didn't dare to do much to stop her; they just looked at each other and whispered among themselves.

"Who was that little palace maid just now?"

"do you know?"

"She looks so familiar...like the Empress Dowager."

"How could the Empress Dowager condescend to dress up as a palace maid..."

Inside the room, the Empress Dowager entered, glanced at the figures behind the curtain, her delicate nose twitched slightly, she quickly stepped forward, lifted the curtain with her hand, kicked off her embroidered shoes, put on her white socks, and crawled onto the couch.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager? What brings you here?"

"I am the mother of the emperor... I should be allowed to test whether the Marquis is capable of such matters."

"This……"

"Eh? The handkerchief wasn't on the mat. I need to take it back for the Emperor to see later..."

"Asagami knows whether I'm capable or not..."

"That's the rule. If the Marquis acts willfully and recklessly, the Emperor will be ridiculed by the people of the world."

“I know, follow the rules… but throughout history, has there ever been an emperor or empress dowager who came to test the stick?”

"My lord, don't you find it exciting? As the Empress Dowager, I'll try it myself!"

With a soft rustling sound, the palace maid's elegant skirt was quickly tossed down by a piece of white jade-like forearm.

Xiao Lengyue was somewhat helpless. She never expected that the Empress Dowager would disguise herself and sneak over to ask her for help in getting in.

Why is this nation's mother acting like a little girl, so clingy...?

Xiao Lengyue sat to the side and listened for a while. The more she listened, the redder her pretty face became. Then, she glanced around furtively and quietly took off her embroidered shoes and slipped into the curtained bed...

In early February, the city was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Ten miles of red lanterns stretched all the way to the capital, and a magnificent deep red carpet led from Fragrant Hills to the capital.

The capital city was deserted as people flocked to the streets.

The imperial court had been preparing for months, and when the day arrived, it would not allow the slightest mistake.

The detectives disguised themselves as ordinary citizens, hiding among the local residents, and investigated a number of suspicious individuals.

The palace guards, dressed in black armor, maintained order in all directions.

Song Yun, with a sword at her waist, sat at a street tea stall, holding a teacup, gazing at the bustling street with a peaceful expression, her face resembling that of a charming and alluring woman from the martial arts world.

Because of her superb martial arts skills and desire for a peaceful life, she captured many wanted criminals for the imperial court, achieving numerous remarkable feats. With her connection to Marquis Weiming, she rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming the third-in-command of the Detective Division.

As for the second-in-command and the first-in-command, they are naturally Chief Constable Su and Zhao Wumian.

Song Yun was once the number one assassin in the martial arts world, and now he has risen to a position of imperial power, but she doesn't care about it. She just feels a little wistful.

Jiu'er's adopted son is now getting married and having children... She was genuinely happy for Zhao Wumian.

If Zhao Wumian gives birth to a child in the future, given her relationship with Jiu'er, the child should at least call her 'Grandma'... Hmm, that's a bit old, so let's call her 'Auntie' instead.

When Marquis Weiming married the Emperor, it was a momentous occasion. All the civil and military officials wore red robes and made a pact with each other to present a congratulatory memorial to the palace with their heads held high and chests out. They also sent many congratulatory gifts, including not only gold and silver jewelry, but also many rare and precious herbs to nourish the body.

There's only one meaning... that we must quickly give birth to a dragon son.

Song Yun carried a teacup and saw many martial arts figures on the street, riding horses pulling carts full of congratulatory gifts. Red bells hung around the horses' necks, their crisp sounds faintly audible in the spring breeze.

Jingle bell~
Sword Sect, Little Western Paradise, Guixuan Valley, Wuji Heaven, Emei, Canghua Tower and other Jianghu sects all sent people to Zeng Lengyue to congratulate and offer their congratulations.

Although Zhao Wumian has never actually fought Guiyi Zhenren, he is now the undisputed leader of the martial arts world. Now that he is getting married, the martial arts world is naturally becoming lively.

It is known that the lands of Jin, Yanyun, Shu, Jiangnan, Qin... these Jianghu territories, even those not under Zhao Wumian's jurisdiction, are all intricately connected to him.

If there were any so-called martial arts alliance leader in the martial arts world, Zhao Wumian only needed to raise his arm and call out, and he could immediately unify the martial arts world for thousands of generations.

Even Wugong Mountain, with whom he had some friction, sent disciples to offer their congratulations.

Privately, Zhao Wumian was killing Gui Shouguiyuan and fighting with Gui Yida, but no matter who it was, they all had to give Zhao Wumian some face on the surface.

Zhao Wumian might not remember who came to congratulate him, but he would certainly remember who didn't come.

Zhao Wumian stood in Zeng Lengyue's rooftop room, dressed in a deep red python robe and with his hair tied up by Qingyan. He looked both elegant and noble.

Xiao Yuanmu sat in front of the dressing table, also dressed in red, and dressed herself up. Her makeup was quite elegant, like that of a legal wife.

Guan Yunshu, Mu Lier, Shen Xiangge, and Zeng Lengyue's group of girls hung red lanterns and silk ribbons everywhere, busy for half a day.

Hearing that many martial arts figures had come to offer their congratulations, Zhao Wumian dressed himself neatly and went downstairs with his aunt to greet the guests from all directions.

No matter how high his martial arts skills were, Zhao Wumian would never be impolite, but he found that there were quite a few people who had come.

Tang Weiyu, the leader of the Emei Sect, Chen Qiyuan, the spear master, Chu Ruzhou, the sword master, and the two masters Dongxuan and Dongwen... all the martial arts friends who had some connection with him came to the capital and gave him plenty of face.

Tang Weiyu saw him come downstairs and led a young woman of about sixteen to greet him, "Lord Marquis."

Zhao Wumian glanced at Madam Tang a few times, asked a few questions about her health, and chatted with his friends in the martial arts world.

Far away in the imperial city, within the inner palace, Luo Chaoyan, though the emperor, still dressed like a young woman.

She was dressed in her wedding gown, draped in a phoenix-embroidered crown, and sat in front of her dressing table, looking slightly nervous, her delicate white hands tightly gripping the hem of her skirt.

The Empress Dowager, Luo Xiangzhu, and Su Qingqi all wore red dresses, yet each possessed her own unique charm and allure.

He combed her hair and applied makeup.

As the current emperor, Luo Chaoyan had been eagerly anticipating this day, but now she was having second thoughts, and her voice was even trembling.

"Mother, Empress Dowager, isn't this matter a bit hasty?"

The Empress Dowager slowly combed Luo Chaoyan's long, ink-black hair, and upon hearing this, gently comforted her:

"Don't be nervous, the Imperial Tutor is still with you, isn't he? To put it simply, this is just you and the Marquis riding around the capital in a carriage, then returning to the Taiji Hall for a banquet, eating and watching dances until nightfall, and then going to the bridal chamber. That's all."

"I...I'm just afraid of going into the bridal chamber..."

Queen Mother: "..."

She looked at the woman in purple, intending to have the Imperial Tutor come over and offer a few words of comfort.

Zi Yi had already dressed up and was sitting to the side sipping tea. She seemed calm, but her little hands were trembling, clearly indicating that she was also nervous.

These two, master and apprentice, are both incredibly pure.

The Empress Dowager turned back helplessly, "His Majesty can simply leave everything to the Marquis. At worst, he can just keep his eyes closed and pretend to be unconscious..."

"Oh……"

After a few words, Lady Zhongli was already urging them from outside the palace.

"Your Majesty, the time has come."

Luo Chaoyan took a deep breath and slowly stood up, thankful that because her pretty face was lightly made up, Zhao Wumian should not notice that she was blushing...

She stepped out of the palace and boarded the palanquin. The female official Zhongli immediately announced loudly:

"Get started!"

(End of this chapter)